Michelle Alves

"If I was to give a tip to any girl starting out it would be to not compare yourself to anyone else. Once you start comparing, you are always going to think someone else looks better than you." -Michelle Alves

Contracts with Victoria's Secret, Valentino and Christian Dior, magazine spreads for Sports Illustrated, Marie Claire and Vogue and runway work for John Galliano, Versace and Stella McCartney have turned Michelle Alves into a bona fide supermodel.

SEX APPEAL

At 5'11", Alves has the shape and stature of a typical supermodel. What's atypical about her look, and what attracts us the most, is her tanned skin and piercing green eyes. Long brown hair and long, slender legs top off the best of her features. Like fellow Brazilians Gisele Bundchen and Adriana Lima, Michelle Alves is truly a work of art.

SUCCESS

Michelle has led a successful and varied career in the modeling world, doing all the things required to become a supermodel. She has posed for dozens of the world's top fashion magazines, including Marie Claire, Vogue and Elle. In addition, she has twice been featured in Sports Illustrated's famed Swimsuit Issue, in 2003 and 2005.

In terms of brand names, Michelle has been linked with Valentino and Christian Dior, but her most famous assignments have been for Victoria's Secret. She appeared on the extremely popular Victoria's Secret Fashion Show television show, in 2002.

Michelle Alves Biography

Born on September 19, 1978, in Londrina, Brazil, Michelle Alves grew up amidst successful academics -- her father was an engineer; her mother, a lawyer. Coming from this background, Alves was taught that school came first and she was encouraged to study hard and attend university.

At Londrina State University, Alves studied civil engineering. The tall green-eyed brunette was a star student, and consistently achieved top marks in her classes. Despite a promising future in engineering, Alves was not convinced university was for her. She had a strong desire to travel the world and experience different cultures. After modeling talent scouts told Alves that she had the goods make it in the fashion world, she took the opportunity in order to satisfy her dream.

michelle alves signs with victoria's secret

Following a move to Sao Paolo, Alves quickly gained a solid footing in the South American modeling world. Her next goal was to emerge on the American scene as fellow Brazilian models Adriana Lima, Gisele Bundchen and Ana Beatriz Barros had before her.

Michelle hit stateside in 2002, and in a big way. She appeared in Elle, Glamour and Vogue magazine several times and then filled one of a cherished 16 remaining spots at the 2002 Victoria's Secret Fashion Show, a widely watched television event. Subsequent to the taping, Michelle signed on as a Victoria's Secret model, joining some of the biggest names in modeling and cementing her standing as a successful model in America.

michelle alves in sports illustrated

In just one year's time, Michelle had gone from being a little known magazine model to one of the industry's most recognizable faces, one that many say bears much resemblance to Gisele Bundchen's. In 2003, Michelle appeared in Sports Illustrated's Swimsuit Issue, a job she repeated in 2005.

Michelle's modeling work was not restricted to print, either. She strolled the runway for Versace, John Galliano, Stella McCartney, and many others. She also became a spokesmodel for Valentino and Christian Dior. With so many high-profile jobs to her credit, Michelle quickly became a certified supermodel.

michelle alves and guy oseary

Even as she continued to stun with her magazine and catwalk appearances, it was clear that Michelle's intellect made her a rare jewel in the modeling profession -- she is an avid reader and is fluent in Portuguese, Spanish, French, Italian, and English. Her frequent public modeling appearances led her to meet Maverick Records CEO Guy Oseary, the rich head of Madonna's music label. The two became an item and their frequent public canoodling was fodder for tabloids everywhere.

As Michelle continues to strut on the catwalk and sport wings for Victoria's Secret, her career looks even more promising. She is maturing and learning how to handle the media and stardom, and will only keep shining as a veteran supermodel.